Hokkaido One-Day Tour from Sapporo: Asahiyama Zoo, Ningle Terrace, Biei Blue Pond & More | Japan
- Travel with a local bilingual driver who speaks Chinese and Japanese for a stress-free journey
- Explore Hokkaido throughout the seasons: lush green fields and blue pond in summer; snowy scenery and illumination in winter
- Watch adorable penguins parade through the snow, only in winter!
- Have fun at Shikisai no Oka in every season
- Take in Hokkaido’s pure natural beauty on this relaxing day tour
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour, Small Group |
| Transportation method | Hotel transfer |
| Departure Time | Standard Departure (8-9 am) |
| Luggage limit | 1 piece |
| Minimum participant requirement | 1 traveler |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Additional service & facility | Luggage Storage |
| Seasonal | Winter Snow Exclusive |
| Sightseeing type | Natural sights |
| Transport | Bus tour |
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
— What You Can Expect —
Depart from Sapporo and explore Hokkaido's most iconic sites. With flexible itineraries based on seasonal highlights, this tour ensures an unforgettable Hokkaido adventure.
— Itinerary Info—
Winter Tour (1 Dec – 31 Mar)
- 08:00 Depart from Sapporo Station North Exit
- 08:10 Depart from Sapporo Subway Odori Station, Exit 31
- 10:30 Asahiyama Zoo (approx. 110 minutes, lunch at own expense)
- 13:30 Biei Famous Trees Tour (by bus, no stop)
- 13:40 Ningle Terrace or Biei Blue Pond (30 minutes)
- 14:10 Pass by HERB GARDEN and enjoy a complimentary Hokkaido specialty hot drink (approx. 20 minutes)
- 14:40 Visit Shikisai Hill (approx. 50 minutes)
- 18:30 Return to Sapporo Station
Notes:
- Due to occasional restrictions from the Ningle Terrace management, buses may sometimes be prohibited. In such cases, Ningle Terrace will be replaced with the Blue Pond.
- When Asahiyama Zoo is closed (Dec 30 – Jan 1), the itinerary will change to: Biei Famous Trees (30 min) → Biei Blue Pond (30 min) → Shirahige Falls (15 min) → Ningle Terrace (approx. 30 min). The guide may adjust sightseeing times based on weather, extending or shortening stops as needed.
Summer Tour (1 Apr – 30 Nov)
- 08:00 Depart from Sapporo Station North Exit
- 08:10 Depart from Sapporo Subway Odori Station, Exit 31
- 10:30 Asahiyama Zoo (approx. 110 minutes, lunch at own expense)
- 13:20 Biei Blue Pond (30 minutes)
- 14:00 Shirahige Falls (20 minutes)
- 14:50 Pass by HERB GARDEN and enjoy a complimentary Hokkaido specialty hot or cold drink (approx. 20 minutes)
- 15:50 Visit Ningle Terrace (approx. 30 minutes)
- 18:30 Return to Sapporo Station
Notes:
- Asahiyama Zoo closed: 4/8–4/28, 11/4–11/10, 12/30–1/1 [Zoo Official Website]
- Ningle Terrace expected closure: 11/3–11/28. The Ningle Terrace time will be added to the Asahiyama Zoo visit (110 → 140 minutes).
- If both Asahiyama Zoo and Fairy Terrace are closed (Nov 4–10), the itinerary will be: Blue Pond 30 min → Shirahige Falls 20 min → Herb Garden 20 min → Biei Shirogane Onsen 110 min.
- The guide may adjust the order and duration of stops depending on weather.
- Complimentary drinks at HERB GARDEN are limited in quantity; no refunds if supplies run out.
Asahiyama Zoo, located in Asahikawa Hokkaido, is the Northern most zoo in Japan. See a penguin walk exclusive to winter, clumsy red pandas making faces, curious seal playing and monkeys cozying up with each other for warmth. Observe these creature up close!
The penguin walk is scheduled to take place from December to March, and the penguin walk will be held at 11:00 am.
Blue Pond is situated on the left bank of Hokkaido's Biei River, this pond was created by a dam built to block volcanic lava. Its waters reflect a blue hue under sunlight. Photographer Kent Shiraishi of National Geographic captured its beauty, and Apple later used his image as a default MAC desktop wallpaper. The pond's water, rich in minerals and sediment from volcanic ash, changes shades of blue with subtle environmental shifts. Each moment offers a unique and anticipated view
Shirahige Falls in Furano, Hokkaido, has a 30-meter drop and an altitude of 600 meters. It is located in the Shirogane Onsen area of Biei Town. It is named after the white, beard-like streams of water that cascade down from the crevices of the rocks
Furano's Ningle Terrace, based on Sō Kuramoto's novel about a tiny forest elf, is a collection of handicraft workshops. The small cabins are home to unique shops selling handmade glass, paper, lavender products, and painted items. Each shop is small and special. The evening lighting creates a very romantic feel
Shikisai no Oka: In winter, Shikisai no Oka is blanketed in pristine snow, transforming into a snowy playground. Here, you can enjoy snow activities like snowmobiles and sledding—even beginners can fully experience the fun of snow and nature. Visitors may also choose to visit the alpaca farm. On the snowy hills, a row of trees stands in the distance like guardians, perfectly aligned to watch over the land. Against the vast white landscape, the upright trees create a minimalist scenery that captivates visitors, making them pause in awe. (Snow activities are at your own expense and subject to change depending on snowfall.)
Ken & Mary's Tree: Due to road conditions and snow removal, some trees cannot be approached. The tour remains onboard and will not include Blue Pond
Ken & Mary's Tree (drive-by view) is named after its appearance in Nissan's 1972 "Love Horizon" commercial. The commercial featured the characters Ken & Mary, set against the backdrop of this tall poplar tree, portraying a captivating scene in the northern landscape. Near the Ken & Mary Tree, there is a triangular building painted in a charming yellowish hue, surrounded by Christmas trees, creating an adorable sight.
Biei's rural scenery is a unique landscape created by farmers cultivating delicious crops.
Purchase Notice
- Each person is allowed to carry one piece of luggage free of charge, with no size limit (Please make a note when making the reservation)
- Participants over the age of 70 are required to be accompanied by family members and cannot join the tour alone
- Driver service fee is applicable for small groups of 1-13 people and bus groups of 14-45 people. The actual amount will be adjusted according to the number of people on the day
- Reference model:
- 5-8-seater car: Toyota Alphard
- 9-14-seater car: Toyota HAICE or equivalent model
- 18-22-seater car: minibus
- 22-seater car or more: large bus
- The listed vehicles are for reference only and will be adjusted based on the actual number of people on the day of the tour
— Travel Details —
- Departure and Destination: Sapporo and Asahikawa
- Duration: Same-day round trip
- Mode of Transportation: Chartered Bus
- Bus Company: Reisei Tourism Industry Co., Ltd.
- Meals: 0
- Accommodation: None
- Minimum Group Size: 1
- Tour Leader: 1
— Travel Planning and Execution —
- Operating Company: TuYi Group Japan Co., Ltd.
- Address: 722 Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- License Number: Shizuoka Prefectural Governor Registered Travel Agency, No. 2-633
- Travel Agency Association: Regular Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Reminders
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 18:00). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Asthma, Epilepsy, Pregnant women
Please arrive at the designated location 10 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Once your order is confirmed, the date cannot be changed. If changes result in financial losses, they will be the responsibility of the customer.
When making a reservation, please provide complete information, including names, the number of participants, contact information, and the boarding location, to avoid errors that may disrupt the itinerary.
Unaccompanied individuals under the age of 18 are not eligible to sign up for this itinerary. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian when registering for this tour.
For elderly individuals, those with high blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, pregnant women, and others, it is recommended to have a family member accompany them.
This itinerary is a fixed and sharing group tour. Participants are required to adhere to the specified visit times at various attractions and follow the instructions of the tour guide.
Participants who do not join the tour or decide to leave mid-journey for personal reasons, tardiness, or other factors will not receive any refunds.
Arrival times at different destinations may change due to daily traffic, weather, holidays, and crowd factors. Delays or cancellations due to these factors or other unforeseeable circumstances should be understood, and no refunds can be requested.
Leaving the group during the journey will result in an invalid transaction, and no fees will be refunded. Participants will be responsible for any consequences related to personal safety or property.
Specific boarding times and information about the tour leader's vehicle will be sent to your email by 9:00 pm (Japan time) the day before departure. Please check your email at that time. If you do not receive the email, please contact us promptly.
Travelers who board the bus at Sapporo Oriental Hotel can only get off the bus at the original pickup location. For example, if you board at Sapporo Oriental Hotel, you can only get off at Sapporo Oriental Hotel during the return trip
The timing of the penguin walk may be adjusted based on snow accumulation, and it may not be possible to see the penguins due to weather conditions. Thank you for your understanding
The tour guide will adjust the sequence and stay time of the attractions depending on the weather
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 2 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 1 to 1 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 40% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
The famous penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo is a special winter event, typically held twice a day, usually in the mornings and afternoons. Specific timings can vary, so it's recommended to check the zoo's official schedule upon arrival or on their website for the most accurate daily timings, especially as they depend on weather and animal conditions. This unique activity allows penguins to walk freely along a designated path, offering an up-close viewing experience.
Asahiyama Zoo is renowned for its innovative 'behavioral enrichment' exhibits, designed to showcase animals' natural behaviors. Visitors can see polar bears diving from overhead tanks, seals swimming vertically through a cylindrical tank, and wolves howling in their habitat. In winter, the highlight is the adorable penguin walk. The zoo emphasizes interactive and close-up experiences, allowing guests to observe animals from various unique perspectives.
To fully experience Asahiyama Zoo and enjoy its unique exhibits, a recommended visit duration is typically around 3 to 4 hours. This allows ample time to explore the various animal enclosures, observe their behaviors, watch the seasonal penguin walk if visiting in winter, and enjoy the overall atmosphere without rushing. Consider factoring in time for meals or souvenir shopping within the zoo.
The most convenient way to travel from Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo as part of a day tour is often by booking a guided bus tour. This provides stress-free transportation directly from Sapporo to the zoo and other destinations without the hassle of navigating public transport or driving. Tours often include a local bilingual driver who speaks Chinese and Japanese, ensuring a smooth journey and informative travel, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy Hokkaido's scenery.
Ningle Terrace in Furano offers a magical, whimsical village experience, especially enchanting in the evenings when illuminated. It features a collection of charming wooden cabins nestled within a forest, housing artisan shops that sell unique handmade crafts, gifts, and souvenirs, often made by local artists. Visitors can stroll along the wooden boardwalks, enjoy the serene forest ambiance, and discover one-of-a-kind treasures, making it a picturesque stop for relaxation and shopping.
Biei Blue Pond and Shirahige Waterfall offer distinct beauty throughout the year. The Blue Pond is most vibrant during late spring to early autumn (May to October) when the weather is clear, and its famous brilliant blue color is most pronounced. In winter, both sites transform into a snowy wonderland, with the Blue Pond freezing over and the waterfall often beautifully illuminated, creating a breathtaking, serene landscape. Each season provides a unique visual experience.
Shikisai no Oka in Biei is famous for its vast, colorful flower fields that change with the seasons. From spring to autumn, visitors can enjoy vibrant displays of tulips, lavender, sunflowers, cosmos, and more. In winter, the landscape transforms into snowfields, where activities like snow rafting and snowmobiling are available. Year-round, you can interact with the farm's adorable alpacas and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the Biei hills.
A day tour significantly enhances the experience of visiting multiple Hokkaido natural sites by providing seamless logistics and expert guidance. With a local bilingual driver, visitors can enjoy a stress-free journey between locations like Biei Blue Pond and Shirahige Waterfall, maximizing sightseeing time without worrying about navigation or transportation schedules. It allows for a relaxed appreciation of Hokkaido’s pure natural beauty and creates unforgettable memories efficiently.
Get Help
